So, I was genuinely excited to dive into One by One by Freida McFadden, especially after enjoying The Handmaid. However, this book left me feeling a bit disappointed, to say the least.
Let’s kick things off with the premise: it is a tough sell. Are we really expected to believe that six intelligent individuals would willingly isolate themselves in a questionable hotel without even doing a basic Google search? It strains credibility from the get-go.
As for the characters, they felt somewhat flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and complexity that would make them truly compelling instead of making them feel like mere caricatures. Their interactions felt forced and unnatural, detracting from the overall immersion of the story.
And then there is the plot. Unfortunately, it didn’t fare much better. It followed a predictable trajectory, with twists and turns that felt more like recycled tropes than genuine surprises. The end twist is a prime example of this; it introduced a revelation that felt contrived and nonsensical. While I didn’t see it coming, that’s sadly not a testament to its greatness; rather, it’s a reflection of how poorly executed and disconnected it is from the rest of the narrative. It’s a twist that adds little to the overall story and leaves readers feeling more baffled than satisfied.
That being said, McFadden’s writing itself was solid. McFadden’s prose is easy to read and flows at a brisk pace, making for a quick and relatively painless reading experience. However, the strengths of the writing are overshadowed by the weaknesses of the plot, which ultimately fails to deliver on its promise of intrigue and suspense.
As I understand, I may be wrong, the earlier editions of One by One have many continuity errors and irrationalities, but in this edition, I didn’t come across them. Or, perhaps I simply didn’t care enough to notice them. That’s also a possibility worth considering.
In conclusion, while One by One may appeal to readers seeking a light, easy read, it falls short of delivering the depth and intrigue expected from a mystery novel. It’s not without its merits, but ultimately, it failed to leave a lasting impression. In the end, I couldn’t help but feel relieved when I finally reached the last page.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Freida McFadden and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!
Have you read One by One? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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